2000 Warmwater Fisheries Survey of Whitestone Lake, Okanogan County, Washington

Whitestone Lake, Okanogan County, Washington was surveyed June 26-29, 2000 using a boat electrofisher, gill nets, and fyke nets. A total of eight fish species were observed during 2000: largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), smallmouth bass (M. dolomieu), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), pumpkinseed (L. gibbosus), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), brown bullhead (Ictalurus nebulosus), channel catfish (I. punctatus), and common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Warmwater gamefish comprised over 99% of the total fish captured. Bluegill were the most abundant (87%) species sampled and accounted for the majority (48%) of the biomass. Largemouth bass comprised 4% of the sample and ranged in age from 1 to 12 years. Of the stock length largemouth bass that were sampled by electrofishing (n = 86), 76% were of quality size and 31% were of preferred size. Largemouth bass ranged in total length from 69 to 562 mm. Largemouth bass greater than 300 mm were in good condition whereas those less than 300 mm were in less than average condition. Bluegill comprised 87% of the sample and ranged in age from 1 to 10 years. Total lengths of bluegill ranged from 40 to 224 mm and were shorter than the Washington State average at all ages. Of the stock length bluegill sampled (n = 3,953 by all gear types), no more than 6% were of quality size and no preferred size bluegill were observed. Yellow perch ranged in age from 2 to 5 years and were longer than the Washington State average at all ages. Total lengths of yellow perch ranged from 145 to 251 mm. Although yellow perch exhibited good growth, they were in poor condition. All yellow perch sampled had relative weights less than 100. It appears that bluegill density has increased to alarming levels since 1998 and measures should be taken to reduce bluegill density and minimize future impacts on the other fish populations in the lake. Measures may include, but are not limited to, regulation changes, partial-lake rehabilitations, physical bluegill removal, and predator stocking. In addition, future monitoring would likely forecast whether additional predators were needed, additional bluegill should be removed, and/or adjustments in regulations should be made.